Folks make their New Year's resolutions

The good folks in Sisters have a lot planned in their annual goal making for the year 2009

Ray's Food Place Manager Jeff McDonald offered a three-part plan for 2009:

"I want to go snowmobiling, snow skiing, or ATVing at least 100 days this year. I don't want to gain any weight. And, I want to tell someone everyday how much I appreciate them. If I can tell 10 people a day that'd be great, but at least one a day."

Health and fitness traditionally top the list of New Year's resolutions and Sisters falls right into that pattern.

"In the health club industry people join a club with no forethought," said Sisters Athletic Club owner and manager Tate Metcalf. "They put on weight over a 30-year period and want it all off within a few short months. We see those resolutions last from New Year's to Valentine's Day, or less.

"Often we'll see our current members ramp up from a three-day-a-week workout to six to get a quick fix, only to burn out. We like to instill lifestyle changes. Like sticking to the three-day-a-week game plan, including some great nutrition, and adding the everyday things like hiking, bike riding...it's a lifestyle package that works. The best successes come when you plan for the roadblocks (illness, a dining splurge, or a workout plateau). When you're prepared you succeed."

Cascade Fitness owner and manager Sue Coxen agrees.

"We see a lot of our gym rats ramp up their fitness routines at this time of year, and the newbies that come in usually last less than three months regardless of what instruction we give them," she said. "Some people just feel like any resolution they make, they'll break. We have our new campaign underway, The Biggest (inches) Loser."

Peggy Rheuben has the desire to "have my whole family healthier this year. How I plan to accomplish this is by buying and cooking with healthier foods and skipping the processed stuff."

The economy and the impacts of a recession are on many people's minds.

"What I want in 2009 is for all of us to learn to live within our means and still remember to give to those who are in need," said Sandee Herberger.

Sisters Movie House owner Lisa Clausen's personal goal is "to be healthy by taking good care of myself." For her growing business the entrepreneur wants to "continue to connect with the Sisters community and all of Central Oregon to provide creative programming and engaging special events."

With some uncertainty coming in with the New Year, seems relationships are the only constant in our lives. Sisters' resident and Crook County Schools Superintendent Rich Shultz thought about this and longs to live his life better.

"I want to love my wife more and treat the people I work with with more respect and dignity," he said. "I want God's leading in my life, His goodness and priority for people. I want to live my life in such a way to reflect that."